Misting system with removable canopy and user actuated control with optional modular construction

ABSTRACT

The misting system has, in one embodiment, two seats with misting heads above each seat. A platform supports the seats, a tank, a pump and a power source. A supply line couples the tank-supplied pump and the misters. Removable canopy is mounted above seats by vertical and curvaceous struts and the misters are mounted on the struts. A user actuated UA control on the seat(s) activates pump ON to release mist. Wheels make the module mobile. Battery, solar power, and chiller are options. A countdown timer turns OFF the pump or controllable, inline valves after initial activation of the UA control. A level sensor in the tank alerts the user via a user display. A pressurized system can be used. Multiple modules coupled together are controlled by a master module with master controls.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a misting system adapted to releaseaerosolized water above and about seated users. A removable canopy, isdeployed above the seats. A user actuated (UA) control activates therelease of aerosolized water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Athletes and individuals during an athletic activity often timesexperience extreme heat when the activity is conducted in a hot climate.In order to reduce his or her body temperature, these athletes andindividuals may be bombarded by aerosolized water or mist. U.S. Pat. No.8,881,998 to Sinkfield discloses a portable misting trailer system forpreventing bodies from overheating and a system for regulating bodytemperature. The '998 patent discloses a series of hoops or ribs carriedby a trailer. The trailer also includes a water storage tank, a pump anda power source, which is typically one or more batteries. The rearregion of the trailer has a plurality of misting heads mounted on thehoops or ribs such that and athletes or and individual may stand or sitin this rear region and be bombarded by aerosolized water or mist.

Although the misting trailer disclosed in the '998 patent is useful, itis sometimes difficult to place the trailer—carried misting system onthe playing field or court where the athletes or individuals engage thestrenuous activity.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome problems with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a misting system with a removable canopy and useractuated (UA) controls with an optional modular construction.

In accordance with one of the several features of the present invention,embodiments of the present invention include a misting system with atleast two seats adapted to provide seating for one or more seatedpersons subject to the aerosolized water proximally released above andabout the seats. A platform supports the seats and a water tank iscarried by the platform. A pump is coupled to the tank. The mistingsystem also includes an electrical power source coupled to the pump. Atleast one supply line is coupled at one end to an output of the pumpand, at the opposite and, to an aerosolizing misting head. A removablecanopy is removably mounted above the platform on at least oneextendable vertical strut element. Also, the misting system includes atleast one curvaceous strut element coupled to the vertical strut. In afurther embodiment, several curvaceous strut elements are utilized alongwith a curvaceous framework to support the removable canopy. The mistinghead and the water supply line is mounted either on the curvaceous strutelement or the extendable vertical strut element. A user actuated (UA)control is on or adjacent one or more of the seats. The UA controlactivates the pump ON thereby coupling the electrical power source tothe pump. Once the pump is ON, water is supplied by the supply line tothe misting head thereby releasing a mist or aerosolized waterproximately above and about persons in one or the other or both of theplatform seats.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the seatshave a common adjoining wall. Also, the platform may have a pair ofwheels rotatably mounted beneath the platform, thereby permitting theplatform, as well as be supported misting system elements, to be moved.In one embodiment, the wheels are disposed below the platform at arearward location.

In accordance with the present invention, the UA control is either amanual control, adapted to be turned ON by seated persons, or is a seatsensor activated when the person sits on the seat.

In accordance with yet another feature, the canopy is removable with aplurality of releasable detachment mechanisms. Another feature includespower sources such as a rechargeable battery, a solar panel coupled to acomplementary battery, and a removable rechargeable battery mounted in abattery containment, all supported by the platform. Further, theplatform, in another embodiment, is not movable. Other features whichmay be incorporated into the misting system include a water chiller inthe water supply line, typically downstream of the pump, or a waterheater. Further, the UA control may include a countdown or a timingfunction to turn OFF the pump after an initial activation of the UAcontrol. A further refinement of the invention would include a waterlevel sensor in or associated with the water tank to generate a waterlevel signal. A controller is electronically coupled to the levelsensor. The controller further has a user display (UD) interfacevisually presenting a low water alert based upon the water level signal.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, apressurized misting system is utilized. This system has two seatssupported by a platform, a water tank (also supported by the platform),and a pump fluidly coupled to the tank. In water supply line connectsthe pump to one or more misting heads. There is a controllable valve inthe water supply line. The pump has a pump control to maintain apredetermined or preset pressure in the supply line. The removablecanopy is mounted above the platform by the vertical strut element (notnecessarily extendable) and one or more curvaceous strut elements. Thecurvaceous strut element or elements extend above and partly over theseats. The misting head is mounted on either the curvaceous strut or thevertical strut. The user actuated UA control is on or adjacent one, orthe other, or both seats, and is electrically coupled to thecontrollable valve. This UA control activates the valve OPEN when the UAcontrol is activated ON by one or the other of the persons seated on themodule. The result being the pressurized water is supplied through thesupply line and the valve is open to the misting head thereby releasingwater mist above and about the seats. Similarly, the UA control could beeither manual or seat—activated. The canopy is detachable by releasabledetachment mechanisms (such as snaps, hooks, loops, fabric ties,tiedowns, or tongue and groove attachments).

In another embodiment, a modular misting system is disclosed. Thismodular misting system includes a master module and a slaved module. Themaster module has one or more seats, a water tank, a pump controlled bya master pump control, and an electrical power supply source supportedby the platform. A water supply line is coupled to the pump and to oneor more misting heads. These misting heads are mounted on either avertical strut or a curvaceous strut. A master controllable valve in thesupply line is controlled by a master valve control command (indistinction to the master pump control). A master UA control on oradjacent the master seat is electrically coupled to the pump and themaster valve. The master UA control activates the pump ON with themaster pump control and the master valve control is activated OPEN whenthe UA control is activated ON by the corresponding seated personthereby releasing the mist. The slave module has a slaved-mounted seatsupported by a slaved platform. A slaved water supply line has a slavedinput at one end and, at its other end, a misting head. The slaved watersupply line includes a controllable slaved valve. A slaved UA control isalso mounted on one or the other of the slave-mounted seats. The slavedUA control activates the pump ON (via the master module) with the masterpump control and the slaved valve control OPEN (on the slaved module)when the slaved UA control is activated ON by the respective person inthe slave-mounted seat, and, in the absence of any person in anyslaved-mounted seat, either the slaved UA control or the master UAcontrol activities the slaved valve control CLOSED. The master moduleand the slave module are detachably coupled together by (i) a detachablewater line coupler between the pump and the slaved misting head, and(ii) a detachable control line coupler between the slaved UA control andthe slaved valve. Of course, the slaved module may include slavedcontrol lines extending to the controllable slaved valve. These slavedcontrol lines can be interconnected to the master controller by thedetachable control line coupler.

A further enhancement of the modular system includes the feature thatthe master UA control is either a manual control turned ON by the seatedperson or a seat sensor. The slave UA control is also either a manual ora seat-sensitive control point. As described above, the canopies on themaster and/or slave modules are releasably detachable. The electricalpower source on the master module can be a rechargeable battery, a solarpanel with a backup battery, and a removable rechargeable battery, allmounted on the master platform.

Another enhancement to the modular system includes a master controllerelectrically coupled to the pump and the master UA control (all in themaster module). The master controller has a countdown timer function ora time-OFF clock function, to turn OFF the master pump control after aninitial activation of the master pump control ON by either the master UAcontrol or the slave UA control. The time-out function can also be usedto CLOSE the controllable in-line valves, in the same manner as thepump. When used with a chiller on the master module, the controller hasa chiller ON function, dependent upon the initial activation of themaster pump control ON, and a chiller OFF function, dependent upon achiller countdown timing function which is a function in the mastercontroller. As discussed earlier, the master module may detect the levelof water in the mounted tank by a water level sensor. The mastercontroller, in the master module, also includes a user display UDvisually presenting a low water alert based upon the water level signalfrom the level sensor.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a master misting moduleis provided. This master module controls mist developed by a slavedmisting module. The master module includes a detachable coupling forremovably coupling the master module to the slave module. The detachablecoupling is one of a water supply coupling and a control line foractivating a valve-controlled slaved-mounted mister, or a water supplycoupling, a slaved seat-sensing control line, and the control line foractivating a valve controlled slaved-mounted mister. The master modulehas a master seat supported by a master platform. The master seatprovides seating for a person subject to the mist generated by mistingheads. The master module also includes a water tank and a pumpcontrolled by a master pump control. An electrical power source issupported by the platform and is coupled to the pump. A water supplyline is coupled, at one end, to the output of the pump and, at anopposite end, to a master misting head. A master controllable valve,inline the water supply line, is controlled by a master valve control.The canopy is mounted above the master platform by at least one verticalstrut and at least one curvaceous strut. The curvaceous strut extendspartly over and above the master seat. The misting head is mountedeither on the curvaceous strut or the vertical strut and is fluidlyconnected to the supply line. A master user actuated control is on oradjacent the master seat and is electrically coupled to the pump and themaster valve. The master user actuated UA control activates the pump ONwith the master pump control command and activates the master valve OPENwith the master valve control command when the UA control is activatedON by the seated person. In the absence of a seated person, the masterUA control activates the master valve control CLOSED. Further, uponactivation of the control line for the slave-mounted mister or the slaveseat-sensing control line, the master controller activates the pump ONwith the master pump control command and hydraulically couples the pumpto the slave-mounted mister via the water supply coupling. The mastercontroller opens the slaved inline valve.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin a misting system with a removable canopy and user actuated (UA)control with an optional modular construction, it is, nevertheless, notintended to be limited to the details shown because variousmodifications and structural changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and within the scope andrange of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodimentsof the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of theinvention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art tovariously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandabledescription of the invention. While the specification concludes withclaims defining the features of the invention that are regarded asnovel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood froma consideration of the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one ormore than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as twoor more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as atleast a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as usedherein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term“coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although notnecessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term“providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g.,bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/orsupplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at onceor over a period of time.

In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, unlessotherwise specified, azimuth or positional relationships indicated byterms such as “up”, “down”, “lateral” or to the “left” or “right”,“inside”, “inboard”, “outside”, “outboard”, “front”, “forward,” “back”,“rear,” and so on, are azimuth or positional relationships based on thedrawings, which are only to facilitate description of the embodiments ofthe present invention and simplify the description, but not to indicateor imply that the devices or components must have a specific azimuth, orbe constructed or operated in the specific azimuth, which thus cannot beunderstood as a limitation to the embodiments of the present invention.Furthermore, terms such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on are onlyused for descriptive purposes, and cannot be construed as indicating orimplying relative importance.

In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, itshould be noted that, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited,terms such as “installed”, “mounted”, “coupled”, “connected” should bebroadly interpreted, for example, it may be fixedly connected, or may bedetachably connected, or integrally connected; it may be mechanicallyconnected, or may be electrically connected; it may be directlyconnected, or may be indirectly connected via an intermediate medium. Asused herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numericvalues, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally referto a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would considerequivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function orresult). In many instances these terms may include numbers that arerounded to the nearest significant figure.

In this document, the term “lateral” should be understood to mean in adirection corresponding to a direction which is about 90 degrees to thereferenced axis of the referenced item. For example, a misting head islaterally disposed on a curvaceous strut and is normal or generallyperpendicular to the run of the strut. The terms “program,” “softwareapplication,” and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence ofinstructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program,”“computer program,” or “software application” may include a subroutine,a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, anexecutable application, an applet, an App operable with a controlserver, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic loadlibrary and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution ona computer system. Those skilled in the art can understand the specificmeanings of the above-mentioned terms in the embodiments of the presentinvention according to the specific circumstances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present invention are set forth inthe detailed description below and the accompanying figures, where likereference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elementsthroughout the separate views and which, together with the detaileddescription below, are incorporated in and form part of thespecification, and which serve to further illustrate various embodimentsand explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 1A diagrammatically illustrates a hydraulic and pneumatic schematicof an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B diagrammatically illustrates another hydraulic and schematic ofan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a fragmentary front view of theinvention showing the seat for the user, athlete, or individual subjectto the aerosolized mist.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a side elevational view of a portionof the seat for the athlete or individual, the removable canopy,optional solar panel, and possible location of the control panel andmonitor displays, on-board power source, and water tank.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a rear fragmentary view of theinvention with the various optional features such as releasablecouplings for sharing water supply when the misting system is configuredas a modular system.

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates the modular configuration of themisting system.

FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates one embodiment for electroniccontrols of the hardware, the display and the control panel.

FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates a high-level electronic control andmonitoring system for the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thefollowing description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in whichlike reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood thatthe disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, whichcan be embodied in various forms.

The present invention provides a novel and efficient misting system witha removable canopy and user actuated (UA) control with an optionalmodular construction.

FIG. 1A diagrammatically illustrates a hydraulic and pneumatic schematicof an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B diagrammaticallyillustrates another hydraulic and pneumatic schematic of anotherembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1A, a water supply tankincludes a fill port 12 and a drain port 14. A control system 16 issupplied, in a preferred embodiment, by onboard battery 18 which, in apreferred embodiment, is rechargeable from an AC power source 20. Waterfrom supply tank 10 is carried by water supply lines 22, 22A, 22B, and22C. These water supply lines are fed into respective two-way valveswhich mix supplied air with the water. These mixing valves 24, 24A, and24B are also supplied with air via pneumatic supply line 26. An air pump28 provides pressurized air to the mixing valves. Water is supplied tothe water supply line 22 by a water pump 30. Power is supplied to airpump 28 and water pump 30. As is known in the art, the power may alsoinclude both a power supply and a control signal for the operation ofthe water pump and/or air pump. Alternatively, a separate control linecould be used to control these pumps.

The output of mixing valves 24, 24A, 24B, is controlled by a respectivepressure valve or seat sensor 32, 32A, 32B. Seat sensor 32 may be anytype of sensor such as a pressure sensor, activated when the user sitson the seat subject to the delivery of the water mist, or a sensoractivated by a change in resistance caused by the user sitting in or onthe seat, a capacitive activated sensor, or a light activated sensor.The seat sensor 32 generates a control signal (“CNTL”) indicating thepresence, and the absence, of a user on the seat. This user activatedcontrol is delivered to controller 16 and, in some situations,controller 16 then powers ON water pump 30 and air pump 28. Sensor 32may generate the pump ON signal as a user activated UA control command.

In a pressurized misting system, once controller 16 determines that aproper pressure is maintained at valves 24, controller 16 opens thevalves and hence delivers aerosolized water via spray misting heads 40,40A, 40B to the user seated on the platform. In the pressurized system,an inline pressure sensor would be monitored by the display-controller16 to maintain the water pressure in the supply line. Alternatively, ina pressurized system, the pump may be turned ON until a predeterminedpressure is obtained in the supply line, then the in-line control valveswould be turned ON or open therefore releasing mist form the sprayheads.

Optionally, the system may include a chiller and or a heater 37 locateddownstream water supply tank 10, that is, upstream or downstream waterpump 30. More efficiently, that heater or the chiller 37 would belocated downstream water pump 30. The chiller 37 is optional becausewater supply tank may have a closable lid which, when opened, canaccommodate the delivery of ice into supply tank 10.

FIG. 1B diagrammatically illustrates another embodiment of the inventionand FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a fragmentary front view of theinvention showing the seat for the user athlete or individual subject tothe aerosolized mist. In the most simplified embodiment of FIG. 1B,control 16 determines when one or the other of the seat sensors 32, 32Agenerates control signals. Control 16 activates pump 30 ON therebypumping water through supply lines 22 to spray heads 40, 40A. Asdiscussed later, the modular system is a two-seater misting system and,when either seat sensor 32 or seat sensor 32A is activated ON, control16 turns the pump 30 ON thereby supplying water to both misting heads40, 40A. In a more complex embodiment, controller 16 activates pump 30ON and maintains water pressure in supply lines 22. When no useroccupies a seat, and when the seat sensors at both user seats are OFF,valves 42, 42A are maintained in a CLOSED or OFF condition. Similarly,the pump is OFF due to the absence of any control commands for the UAsin or on the seats. When either one or the other seat sensor 32, 32A isactivated ON, control 16 applies the appropriate control signal to oneor the other or both of valves 42, 42A, thereby activating these valvesOPEN or ON. The result being that water is supplied to spray heads 40,40A. In a different control configuration, when using independent seatUA controls, single misting head is programmed ON based upon a singleseat sensor, such as seat sensor 32, which issues a control ON signal tocontrol 16, resulting in valve 42 being activated ON or OPEN to deliverwater only to misting head 40. A pressurized line system withindependent flow valves 42, 42A, permits independent operation anddelivery of misting water output to a respective spray or misting head40, 40A.

It is well known that spray head 40, when supplied with water, cangenerate mist or aerosolized water as an output. See U.S. Patent Pub No.20090242665; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,925,097; 6,651,901; and U.S. Patent PubNo. 20080210772.

FIG. 2 shows an optional manual UA control 58 rather than, or inaddition to sent UA sensor 32. Sent 54 is supported by platform 50.Wheels 52, 52A permit platform 50 to be moved. Laterally disposedmodules 50A, 50B are shown. Sent back 56 supports the user.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a side elevational view of a portionof the seat for the athlete or individual, the removable canopy, anoptional solar panel, and possible location of the control panel andmonitor displays, an on-board power source and water tank. In FIG. 3 , asingle seat 54 is shown to support the user or athlete (not shown) belowmisting spray head 40. Although the preferred embodiment is two-seatersystem (see FIG. 5 ), the system may be configured as a single seat, orthree, four or five seats as per the manufacturer's specifications. Seat54 is mounted and supported by a platform 50. The platform is movable byat least a pair of wheels 52, 52A. As shown in FIG. 3 , these wheels maybe rotatably mounted at a rearward location on platform 50. To maintainthe platform in a relatively level position, the two wheeled systemwould include stubs 51 on the front of the platform as shown in FIG. 3 .Alternatively, the platform may have four wheels, a pair of rearwardwheels and a pair of forward wheels. The term “forward” referring to aposition wherein the user would approach and sit on seat 54. Anotherembodiment of the present invention is a stationary misting station withone or more non-movable platforms.

In one embodiment, seat sensor 32 is located either on the horizontalsection of seat 54 or ON the vertical back section 66 of seat 54 asshown in FIG. 2 . Optionally, the misting system may have a manual ONcontrol 58 to either replace seat sensor 32 or to supplement seat sensor32. As explained later, the seat sensor 32 enables controller 16 to havea time-out function such that within a predetermined time after seatsensor 32 is activated ON, controller 16 turns OFF the pump 30 or closesvalve 42 thereby stopping the delivery of mist from head 40.

Spray head 40 is mounted above seat 54 on a spray head strut 41. Sprayhead strut 41 is, in turn, mounted on either vertical strut 56 or oncurvaceous strut 58. In one embodiment, canopy 62 is mounted oncurvaceous strut 58 and a laterally extending canopy strut 60 shown inFIG. 3 (lateral compared to the front and rear dimensions). Spray ormisting head 40 represents one or more spray misting heads on thesingular water supply line leading to the heads. The heads may beattached anywhere on the supply line.

In the modular configuration shown in FIG. 2 , one or more misting seatmodules 50A, 50B can be connected mechanically, hydraulically and withcoupled command-carrying cables or lines such that the owner of themisting system can build-out a misting system with multiple mistingseats.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a side elevational view of a portionof the seat for the athlete or individual, the removable canopy,optional solar panel, and possible location of the control panel andmonitored displays, on board power source and water tank. Although FIG.3 diagrammatically shows display and control panel 70 and battery 18 incertain positions on the backside of seat 54, a person of ordinary skillin the art could locate the control and display panel at any otherconvenient location including in the side panel 66 or side wall therebypermitting either the user or a manager to see the display, see certainoperational conditions, and to enable or disable certain controls asdiscussed later. Further, battery 18 may be located at a differentlocation supported by platform 50. Battery 18, as shown in FIG. 3 , isremovable such that it can be removed and recharged as needed. If asolar panel 69 is utilized, a solar panel converter would be interposedat the output of the solar panel such that the batteries would berecharged while the panel is activated.

In this illustrated embodiment, seat 54 has a vertical divider panel 66on one lateral side of seat platform 54. Other seat configurations maybe selected by the manufacturer. Hence, each module may be a single seatmodule, a two-seater, three-seater, etc. In the master-slave systemdescribed herein, it is likely the master module will have two seats dueto the water tank size, control systems and onboard power. It isbelieved that the onboard power is needed because (a) the location of anAC outlet on or about a playing field is uncertain; (b) the mistingsystem can be located anywhere about the playing field; and (c) theelectrical power requirements of the system are relatively low.

Canopy 62 is removable from curvaceous canopy supporting strut 58 (SeeFIG. 3 ) as noted by detachable elements 68. In one embodiment, aplurality of manual releasable detachment mechanisms is intermediate theremovable canopy 62 and the curvaceous strut element 58. The manuallyreleasable detachment mechanisms may be a snap element, a hook and aloop (such as VELCRO™), a button and a complementary buttonhole, afabric strap, a fabric strap bearing micro-hooks cooperative withcomplementary cloth bearing micro-loops (VELCRO™ attachment), a fabrictether, a tongue operative in a groove, a snap, and a tiedown. Otherdetachable and releasable mechanisms are known to persons of ordinaryskill in the art.

The purpose of a removable canopy is one of the several importantinventive features. First, the removable canopy can be removed from themisting system and cleaned. Since the canopy is typically deployed in anoutside environment, it is subject to accumulated dust, dirt and mold.Hence, the canopy should be removable to clean the fabric. Second, aremovable canopy permits the user to extend the canopy to its terminaledge 72 or some intermediate location 72A or 72B. When canopy 62 is thatterminal strut position 72, maximum shade is developed for an athlete ora user on seat 54. In a partly deployed position when the terminal endof canopy 62 is at intermediate detachment point 72A, partial shade isestablished for the user on seat 54. Likewise, when the terminal end ofcanopy 62 is at inboard detachment position 72B, only a slight bit ofshade is established for the user on seat 54. Third, canopy 62 can beimprinted with the name of the athlete team and/or carry anadvertisement. Since the mobile misting station can be positioned atvarious locations on the playing field or court, it is important thatthe misting station be moved to permit maximum view ability of theplaying field or court without obstructing the view of visitors watchingthe athletic activity. Since the removable canopy can be imprinted withan advertisement, the advertiser can pay for one or more mobile mistingstations. This economically benefits the misting system owner.

FIG. 3 also shows that misting head 40 can be rotated in the directionshown by double-headed arrow 39 to better present the mist to a userseated on seat 54. In the illustrated embodiment, misting head 40 ismounted on one side of a head support strut system 41. Head supportsystem 41 is also mounted on vertical strut 56. As shown by thedouble-headed arrow 43, the misting strut system 41 rotates with respectto vertical strut 56. In addition, FIG. 3 shows vertical strut 56 withtwo vertically adjustable segments, vertical strut segment 57A andvertical strut segment 57B. The vertical struts 57A, 57B permit themodular misting system to be vertically collapsed. See double headedvertical arrow. FIG. 3 does not show water supply lines coupling mistinghead 42 to pump 30 and tank 10. The supply lines would run in and aboutvertical strut system 57A, 57B as well as through some connection withhead supporting strut system 41. Persons having ordinary skill in theart have knowledge regarding running supply lines to the misting headfrom tank 10 and pump 30 through or about vertical strut system 57A, 57Band head strut system 41. Further, misting head 40 may be similarlymounted on curvaceous canopy strut 58. See FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a rear fragmentary view of theinvention with the various optional features such as releasablecouplings for sharing water supply when the misting system is configuredas a modular system. More specifically, FIG. 4 shows chiller 37A as partof the hydraulic system. Tank 10 has lid 76 that can be removed orrotated such that the user or manager can load ice into the tank,thereby eliminating the need for chiller 37A. FIG. 4 also shows that thetank has hydraulic coupling element 80 terminating in a detachablecoupler head 82 (normally CLOSED unless coupled) such that severalmodular misting seats can be joined together in a hydraulically coupledsystem as discussed later. Valve 78 is placed in an OPEN or ON positionafter tank 10 is hydraulically connected to the slaved misting modules.When the master misting module is not hydraulically coupled to a slavedmisting module, valve 78 is CLOSED or in an OFF condition.

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates the modular configuration of themisting system. In this illustrated embodiment, several two-seatermisting modules 6A, 6B and 6C are shown. Master (mstr) module 6Aincludes one or more batteries 18 as an onboard power source. Also,master module 6A has a primary display and control system 70. Controllines 84 from display-control 70 are removably coupled to theappropriate hardware being controlled in the coupled slave module 6B.Likewise, water tank 10 in master module 6A is hydraulically coupled viadetachable coupling line 80 to a slaved tank in slave module 6B.Alternatively, detachable hydraulic coupling line 80 may lead to watersupply lines in the slave module 6B without the use of the illustratedseparate water tank in slave module 6B. If the slave module has a watertank, then the water would be shared by both master module 6A and slavemodule 6B. In that sense, hydraulic line 80 and the detachable couplingshould be near the bottom of the water tanks. In addition to thefeatures described for the modular configuration discussed herein, themodular system may include mechanical coupling devices such that themaster module can be attached mechanically to the slave module SL1 orSL2. In a similar sense, canopy 62 on the master module 6A can be asingle, unitary piece with the canopy on slave module 6B (both canopycovers may consist of a single piece). Stated otherwise, once themechanical coupling devices stabilize and join together each module 6A,6B, 6C, the modular system may include a simple canopy. Also, amechanical coupler may mechanically join the curvaceous canopy struts ofmodules 6A, 6B, 6C. In this construction, each module would have acurvaceous canopy strut at each lateral terminal end of canopy 62. Thecanopy mechanical couplers would join adjacent curvaceous terminal sidecanopy struts on module 6A to module 6B, and likewise join curvaceousterminal side canopy struts on module 6A to module 6C. Once the canopystruts are attached together by these couplers, a single piece canopy 62can be deployed over the joined together canopy strut system. The singlepiece elongated canopy extending over modules 6A, 6B, 6C is thenattached via the detachment systems discussed earlier in connection withthe embodiment shown in FIG. 3 . Independent modular mobility ispermitted by disassembly of the mechanically and hydraulicallyinterconnected modules 6A, 6B, 6C.

In a similar sense, if the modular misting system utilizes pressurizedwater initially developed by master pump 30 in master module 6A, thenhydraulic line 80 would be coupled to the output of pump 30 whichdevelops the pressurized water. Hydraulic line 80 would then be coupledto a slaved control valve 42A which controls the output of pressurizedwater to slaved misting heads in slave module 6B. In order to detectwhen a user has initially set down on a slaved seat in module 6B, slavedseat sensor 32A would be activated sending a slaved UA control commandto controller 70. In a preferred embodiment, display-control system 70primarily operates with digital controls. As such, control line 84 wouldbe coupled in slave module 6B to a signal conditioner (“SC”) 85.Likewise, seat sensor 32A would be coupled to a different signalconditioner SC since the control signals for slaved valve 42A and seatsensor 32A are typically different in a digital control system.

Alternatively, slave module 6B could include a slaved pump 30A which issupplied with detachable coupling power cord 86 to the onboard powersupply on master module 6A. As known by persons of ordinary skill in theart, the control signal to slaved pump 30A could be (a) carried by thepower supplied to the pump 30A or (b) be a separate control line to thatpump.

Operationally, the modular system has a master UA control, either amanual control turned ON by the seated person or a UA seat sensor asdescribed earlier. The slave UA control is also either a manual or aseat-sensitive UA control point. The canopies on the master and/or slavemodules are releasably detachable. The modular system includes a mastercontroller 70 electrically coupled to the pump and the master UA control32 (all in the master module). The master controller 70 has a countdowntimer function or a time-OFF clock function, to turn OFF the master pumpcontrol after an initial activation on time. This master pump control isgenerated by either the master UA control or the slave UA control. Inthis sense, the master controller 70 on the master module receives UAcontrol commands from the seats on the master module and the seats onthe slave module. For example, in a two-seater system (two seats on boththe master and the slave modules), each seat having seat sensors, themaster controller receives pump ON commands from any UA seat sensor. Thesame is true for the manual UA controls. However, once the pump is ON,the master controller 70 also controls the respective controllablevalves interposed in corresponding supply lines and hence to the fluidlycoupled misting heads. Once the pump is ON, the master controller senseswhich seat or UA control is activated ON, then commands the correctcontrollable supply line valve to OPEN, thereby misting the seatedperson in the seat. If only one person is seated, only that singlesupply line valve is OPEN and all others are CLOSED. Persons of ordinaryskill in the art can design one-mister-for-one seat, multiplemisters-ON-for-one-seat, one UA control ON for activating both misterswherein each seat has a mister head in a two-seater system, and variousother configurations. The master module may detect the level of water inthe mounted tank by a water level sensor. The master controller, in themaster module, also includes a user display UD visually presenting a lowwater alert based upon the water level signal from the level sensor. TheUD display may also show the ON-OFF misting condition of each seat inthe multi-coupled modular system. One benefit of the modular system isthat the electric power and main controls and UDs are on the master andthe slave modules have only simple electronic controls (the sensorfeedback command controls from the seat-mounted UA controls).

In FIG. 5 , each seat in the two-seater modules has a vertical dividingpanel 66, 66A, 66B. See FIG. 3 . At a minimum, the master module 6A mustinclude an onboard power source, batteries 18, and a water tank 10 and adisplay-control 70. The slave modules 6B and 6C may include or may notinclude a pump or a water tank dependent upon the configuration selectedby the manufacturer. For example, a pressurized water system relies uponhigh-pressure hydraulic lines 80 being securely coupled between themaster module 6A and the slave modules 6B, 6C. Multiple water tanks inboth the master module and the slave modules enable the entire system toprovide mist to many users over a longer period of time.

In a similar manner, the master onboard power supply can be supplementedby slaved power supplies (not shown) as needed by the designer. Again,the runtime for the entire module system is dependent upon the volume ofwater needed to cool the athletes or individuals involved in theathletic activity as well as the ambient temperature and the time spanof the athletic events. In FIG. 5 , slave module 6C has not yet beencoupled to master module 6A but the arrows indicate potential couplingof slave module 6C to master module 6A. There are several benefitsassociated with the modular system. First, each module can be reduced insize, especially if the vertical strut is vertically collapsible, andthe singular module can be placed in a truck or on a flat bed and bemore easily transported to another venue or moved about the initial,primary sporting venue. Also, each module, when the tank is drained, canbe moved by a single person by rotating the module onto the rearwardpair of wheels 52, 52A and pulling the module about the venue (that is,pulling it indoors or about the field or playing pitch).

FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates one embodiment for electroniccontrol of the hardware, the display and the control panel. A person ofordinary skill in the art will understand that FIG. 6 describesfunctional aspects of a digital control system which may be greatlycompressed with the use of specialized integrated circuits. Central tothe illustrated embodiment of this digital control is a controller 90which is a microcontroller. Signal conditioner SC 91 is electronicallycoupled to display-control panel 130. As known by persons of ordinaryskill in the art, digital controls operate on lower voltages compared topower supplied to recharge battery 18. FIG. 6 shows AC power supply 20is electrically coupled to AC charger 96 which in turn is electricallycoupled to one or more batteries 18. Power is supplied to the digitalcontrol circuit from battery 18 via power converter 98. Digital power isrepresented by the schematic line connecting power converter 98 tocontroller 90. Power for various hardware is identified in FIG. 6 asPWR. Therefore, PWR is supplied to water pump 30 and, if utilized, airpump 28.

Controller 90 is electronically connected to memory 92 and timingcircuit 94. It is known by persons of ordinary skill in the thatcontroller 90 may be an integrated circuit with functional modules suchas a countdown timer and a clock. Controller 90 is coupled to varioushardware components via signal conditioners SC 111, 113, 115, 85, 85Aand 91. Persons of ordinary skill in the art well recognize that some ofthe signal conditioner SC circuits may be integrated intomicrocontroller 90 dependent upon the selected hardware to be controlledand the type of microcontroller. Controller 90 is also electronicallycoupled to slave interfaces 120 which lead to slave modules 6B (SL1) andslave module 6C (SL2) when the respective control lines areelectronically joined to the master controller 90 on the master module6A.

FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates display-control panel 130 as anexample. The invention may have various types of display-control panelsincluding touch-sensitive control panels, display panels withindependent LED displays or combinatory led displays (actuated when theuser selects a particular control feature), manual switches, touchsensitive switches, knobs, and button control features. Therefore, thedisplay-control panel illustrated in FIG. 6 is just one of many types ofdisplay-control panels available. Also, the display panel may beseparate and apart from the controller. Potentially, the display controlmay be a separate tablet which is network-coupled to a master controller90.

The exemplary display-control panel 130 includes a system ON-OFF controland a user display (UD) indicator 132 showing that the system is ON orOFF, a spray volume or spray intensity control 136 and an associated UDdisplay 134. For example, in FIG. 6 , the UD displayed volume is set atlow level “2” (indicia 134) (wherein the maximum level is, by example,“9”) and the user actuated display-control 136 can increase the sprayvolume by selecting the up arrow or decrease the spray volume byselecting the down arrow (show as a “V”). In a similar manner, if an airpump is utilized, and air pump level is shown in UD display 138 and theuser actuated UA controls the air pressure with the up arrow or downarrow controls 140 (down arrow shown as a “V”). The user UD display 150indicates that the water tank contains a reasonable amount of water asindicated by the “OK” water indicator and further indicates the need tofill the water tank by a″ FILL″ display in display region 150.

In this example, the controller 90 has a time out function representedby timer 94 such that once the seat sensor 32 is activated ON aparticular misting module, the controller turns ON the pump activatingthe production of mist onto the user seated in the misting module for apredetermined period of time. In this example, the controller activatesthe misting module for a preset time of “15” minutes, as shown in UDdisplay region 152. The user, by actuating user actuatable UA control154 can manually increase or decrease the time with up arrow or downarrow in the dual control set 154 the misting system is ON, onceactivated ON by a seated user on UA seat control 54. Control sets 136,140 and 154 show up arrows and down arrows (“down” referenced by a “V”).

Also, the controller 90 may permit the user to pre-set certain time-ONperiods. This is represented by the pre-sets 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in UDdisplay 156. A more sophisticated control system would permit the userto input the time duration of the athletic events via a UA control anduse an algorithm to decrease the ON-time period of each misting stationonce that UA seat station has been activated by an athlete. Furtherenhancements would include monitoring the ambient temperature and/or theambient humidity, factoring in the preprogrammed length of time of theathletic activity and decreasing the ON-time period of each mistingstation to ensure that the misting stations operate at least through theend of the athletic event given pre-set ambient temperatures and/orhumidity levels. Higher temperatures/humidity shortens the ON-timemisting periods whereas lower temperature/humidity lengthens the ON-timemisting periods. Artificial intelligence may be incorporated in thecontroller 90 and memory 92, along with ambient temperature sensors andambient humidity sensors to enhance the operation of the system. As anexample, a higher ambient temperature would automatically shorten theON-time periods of the misting stations. The same is true regardinghigher ambient humidity readings. The AI could monitor “seat-time” ofall athletes currently using the misting system, and limit the ON-timemisting periods to ensure that the misting system water supply isadequate for the entire athletic event. In other words, the“time-in-seat” indicates a higher misting usage mandating less mistingON times per athlete whereas lower “time-in-seat” indicates longermisting ON times. Integrating ambient temperature and humidity dataduring the event with the time-in-seat data results in an efficient useof the limited power and/or water supply. With a properly trained AIsystem, the AI system would have data tables in memory 92 accounting formisting volume, electrical on-board power reserves and power utilizationdata for the pump (and possibly the chiller). The AI algorithm thencalculates misting ON times to match power, water, and real-time athleteutilization.

FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates a high-level electronic control andmonitoring system for the present invention. For example, control system202 may be completely digital in nature and may include an operatorinterface deployed as an App on a smartphone or a tablet, a compactcontroller 202 mounted in the master module (or stand-alone module) incommunications with the App and various communications interfaces (suchas near-field BLUETOOTH communication links). A cloud-based system isalso encompassed by an embodiment of this invention. The smartphone ortablet could be in communication with the onboard digital controller 90which is supported by the master misting module. Processor 204encompasses the concept of utilizing the processor in the smartphone ortablet as well as the processor on the master module. Input/outputhardware functions 206 control the hardware discussed earlier, that is,the pump, valves and water level controls and output via the onboardprocessor 90. Input/output display(s) 208 represent functions that canbe displayed and controlled on the smartphone or tablet whichcontrol-command displays show the condition of each misting module,water reserves, mist output, misting time limits, as well as how oftenan athlete is seated at a misting station. Input/output for the userinterface (UI) 210 is also a combination of the App on the smartphone ortablet as well as the onboard processor on the master misting station.Processor 204 operates in conjunction with memory 205.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changeswithin the scope of the present invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A misting system for an athletic event having a predetermined event time comprising: at least two seats adapted to provide seating for corresponding persons subject to aerosolized water released above and about the at least two seats; a platform supporting the at least two seats; a water tank water supply supported by the platform; a pump fluidly coupled to the tank; an electrical power source coupled to the pump; at least one water supply line coupled at one end to an output of the pump and at an opposite end to an aerosolizing misting head; at least one extendable vertical strut element extending upward from the platform and at least one curvaceous strut element coupled to an upper end of the at least one extendable vertical strut element, the at least one vertical strut element and the at least one curvaceous strut element extending over and above the at least two seats; a removable fabric canopy removably mounted above the platform on the at least one curvaceous strut element; the misting head and the at least one water supply line mounted on either (a) the at least one curvaceous strut element or (b) the at least one extendable vertical strut element; a user actuated (UA) control on or adjacent the at least two seats, the UA control activating the pump ON by coupling the electrical power source to the pump wherein, once the pump is ON, water is supplied through the at least one supply line to the misting head thereby releasing aerosolized water above the at least two seats for an ON-time misting period; a misting controller, coupled to the UA control and a user input control, the user input control accepting the event time and the misting controller limiting the ON-time misting periods to ensure that the water supply is adequate for the athletic event and at least for the event time.
 2. The misting system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least two seats are conjoined as a pair of seats and the misting system includes at least a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on the platform thereby providing a modular, movable misting system for the corresponding persons seated in the pair of seats.
 3. The misting system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the UA control is either (a) a manual control adapted to be turned ON by at least one of the corresponding persons seated in at least one of the at least two seats, or (b) a seat sensor activated by the respective corresponding person seated in one or the other of the at least two seats.
 4. The misting system as claimed in claim 1 including releasable detachments between the canopy and the at least one curvaceous strut, the releasable detachments are a plurality of manually releasable detachment mechanisms intermediate the removable canopy and the at least one curvaceous strut element, the manually releasable detachment mechanisms are one from the group comprising a snap, a hook and loop, a button and a complementary button hole, fabric straps bearing micro hooks cooperative with complementary cloth bearing micro loops, a fabric tether, a tongue operative in a groove, a strap, and a tie down.
 5. The misting system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrical power source is supported by the platform.
 6. The misting system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the electrical power source is one of a rechargeable battery, a solar panel coupled to a complementary battery, and a removable rechargeable battery movably mounted in a battery containment supported by the platform.
 7. The misting system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the platform is not movable.
 8. The misting system as claimed in claim 1 including either a water chiller or a water heater in the water supply line downstream of the pump.
 9. The misting system as claimed in claim 3 including a controller electrically coupled to the pump and the UA control, the controller having a countdown timer function to turn OFF the pump after an initial activation of the UA control.
 10. The misting system as claim in claim 9 including a water chiller in the water supply line downstream of the pump, and the controller having a chiller ON function dependent upon the initial activation of the UA control and a chiller OFF function dependent upon a chiller countdown timing function.
 11. The misting system as claimed in claim 9 wherein a water level sensor in the tank generating a water level signal, the controller being electrically coupled to the water level sensor and obtaining the water level signal, the controller having a user display (UD) interface visually presenting a low water alert based upon the water level signal. 